Pope Francis's favourite foods: Pontiff's beloved dishes and the stories behind them

Pope Francis passed away after a prolonged illness on Easter Monday, April 21, at the age of 88. He died of stroke and heart failure, according to The Vatican. Tributes have been pouring in for the compassionate leader of the Catholic Church who was known for his humility and simplicity - from around the world. Beyond his spiritual leadership, global influence, and political stances, Pope Francis's deep love for food emerges quietly through several cookbooks and personal recollections, offering a more intimate portrait of the man behind the papacy.

Francis's food choices were simple and spoke of his childhood memories and connection to home. His love for empanadas, mate, and alfajores have been mentioned in several cookbooks. He condemned food waste as “a snatching from the hands of the poor.” He didn't crave rare wines or elaborate state dinners, he just wanted to sit in a Roman pizzeria and eat in peace. This explained the wonderful connection he had with masses that even earned him the moniker of 'people's pope'.

In his memory, we remember the foods he loved:

1. Mate

Pope Francis drank mate, the traditional South American herbal tea, nearly every day. Often gifted by pilgrims, it wasn't just a beverage for him, but a ritual of grounding, a sip of shared culture and solidarity with millions.

2. Empanadas

Pope Francis born in Flores, a neighborhood of Buenos Aires, was inclined towards Argentinian cuisine and one of his favourite dishes were empanadas, often with a filling of meat, cheese, ham and others. Pope often recalled making empanadas with his grandmother. These flaky pastries were his nostalgic link to Argentina. In The Vatican Cookbook, empanadas are made with flour-based dough and rich beef filling.

3. Alfajores

A sweet reminder of home, Pope spoke of his love for these delicate sandwich cookies, filled with dulce de leche and dusted with coconut. He once gave one to a visiting chef, simply saying he hoped it would "make the day a little better." A heartwarming gesture that could certainly made anyone's day.

4. Chipa

Francis had a soft spot for chipa, the chewy cheese bread popular in Paraguay and northern Argentina. Dense, savory, and satisfying, it was another link to regional flavors and family kitchens.

5. Bagna Càuda

Pope's parents were from Italy. No wonder he loved Italian cuisine. He loved bagna càuda, a garlic-and-anchovy dip especially. “It can be said that bagna càuda is a symbol of convivial ritual,” wrote biographer Roberto Alborghetti. The dish was less about ingredients and more about the togetherness around it.

6. Pizza

Pope's sweet wish was to have pizza in a Roman pizzeria anonymously like a normal person, showing his simple nature. “If I had only one wish,” he once said, “it would be to go out, unrecognized, and eat pizza in a Roman pizzeria.”

7. Chocolate cake

In his spiritual farewell Dilexit Nos, Pope Francis didn’t just mention food metaphorically, he remembered baking pastries with his grandmother as an act of care and continuity. Chocolate cake, subtle and sweet, was among his favourite desserts.